News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | September 29, 2026
Local News
Lanexa man stipulates to evidence of possessing child pornography in New Kent
A Lanexa man has stipulated to evidence in possessing child pornography in New Kent County. Donavan Trayton Pulliam, 20, agreed to terms of a plea deal to one charge each of possession of child pornography and possession of child pornography (second offense) during Monday proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. Nine additional charges of possession of child pornography (second offense) were dropped as part of the agreement. In a summary of evidence provided by New Kent Commonwealth’s Attorney Scott Renick, on May 15, 2025, investigators received information about the possibility of illegal pornographic material being downloaded to electronic devices in…
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SOL scores reveal improvements by Charles City and New Kent schools in 10 subject areas
Charles City County Public Schools and New Kent County Public Schools improved in 10 subject areas in recently released Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) tests. The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) released reports on the test results this past week. New Kent County Public Schools continue to remain one of the highest scoring school districts in the state. New Kent eclipsed the 90th percentile in the areas of End of Course Reading, End of Course Writing, Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry. New Kent reached the 80th percentile in the areas of fourth grade reading, fifth grade reading, seventh grade…
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Forensics audit concludes in Charles City, but citizens continue to search for answers
A request for a forensics audit on expenditures made by Charles City County has come to an end after it was dismissed on Aug. 21. And while the order was issued by the court, county citizens still raised several questions and concerns at the county’s regular meeting of its board of supervisors. After a two-hour hearing, the order was dismissed after insufficient information was submitted for its completion, with the court having more questions than answers. Initiated through a petition submitted to the court system on Apr. 18, 2025, the forensics audit was petitioned by the citizens from Charles City…
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Trio of men stipulate to evidence of possessing illegal gambling devices in New Kent
Three men stipulated to evidence of possessing illegal gambling devices in New Kent County. Salim S. Damani of Glen Allen, Sanam Singh Ahluwala of Glen Allen, and Samir Narendra Patel of Williamsburg, all stipulated to the evidence on two misdemeanor counts of possession of illegal gambling devices as part of Monday morning proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. As part of an agreement, three additional counts of possession of illegal devices as well as a lone count of continuous illegal gambling were dropped against Damani, seven additional charges of possession of illegal devices and a charge of continuous illegal gambling…
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Richmond woman, teenager arrested in connection to 2024 Charles City murder
Charles City County Sheriff’s Office have arrested two individuals connected to a March 2024 homicide. Shantalaya Shorter, 21, and a 17-year-old juvenile (at the time of the offense), both from the City of Richmond, were arrested after a multi-agency investigation between Charles City County Sheriff’s Office and the Virginia State Police. On Mar. 20, 2024, Charles City County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 7600 block of Church Lane. Upon arriving on scene, the authorities discovered Aubrey Jonson, 58, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Johnson was pronounced dead on scene. Investigators gathered information from witnesses of a vehicle that fled…
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Richmond man receives year in jail for driving revoked in New Kent
A Richmond man will spend a year in jail for driving revoked in New Kent County. Adrian Gustavo Naranjo, 35, of the 2200 block of Chateu Court, learned of his term as part of Monday proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. During a June 15 trial, Naranjo entered a guilty plea to the offense. During that trial, evidence presented by Commonwealth’s Attorney Scott Renick showed that on Jan. 12, a New Kent deputy on patrol noticed a vehicle that had registration that did not match the appropriate vehicle. A traffic stop was executed, and Naranjo was identified as the driver….
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FedEx latest to announce logistics facility coming to New Kent
The Exit 211 interchange from Interstate 64 to Emmaus Church Road (Route 106) is getting a new business. New Kent County announced through an Aug. 12 press release that FedEx will be constructing a 300,000-square foot shipping and logistics facility. “On behalf of New Kent County, we are proud to welcome FedEx and its newest operation to our community,” commented New Kent County Administrator Rodney Hathaway. “This investment represents another significant milestone in the county’s continued economic growth and demonstrates New Kent County’s strategic location, strong transportation infrastructure, and business friendly environment.” FedEx’s is expected to invest $40 million into…
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Embezzling from Charles City company results in nine-month jail sentence
A man will spend nine months in jail for stealing money from his employee while working in Charles City County. Tillman John Norris, 47, currently of Middle Peninsula Regional Jail, entered a plea of guilty to a single count of embezzlement as part of Aug. 7 proceedings in Charles City Circuit Court. In a summary of evidence by Charles City Commonwealth’s Attorney Tyler Klink, between Oct. 1-31, 2025, Norris worked at D.J. Logging in Charles City. Norris utilized the employee’s credit card to make various purchases at a number of stores without the owner’s permission. In total, the defendant spent…
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Charles City woman indicted for allegedly driving intoxicated for third time within 10 years
A Charles City woman has been indicted for allegedly driving under the influence for at least her third time. Wanda Hartsoe Elko, 76, of the 11000 block of Kimages Road, was indicted during July 7 proceedings in Charles City Circuit Court. The indictment alleges that on Jan. 21, Elko was operating a vehicle while intoxicated either from alcohol or drugs. She was arrested, with a subsequent investigation revealing that she had committed a similar offense at least two previous times within the past 10 years.
Man who left juvenile at New Kent rest area receives three-month jail term
A South Dakota man will spend three months in jail for contributing to the delinquency of a minor while in New Kent County. Michael Eugene Brown II, 27, of the 400 block of Sixth Avenue, Wall, entered an Alford Plea of Guilt to an amended charge of misdemeanor contributing to the delinquency of a minor (originally felony child abuse) as part of Monday morning proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. An Alford Plea of Guilt indicates that while the defendant maintains his innocence, evidence presented in the case would be enough to convict him of the offense. In a summary…
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